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MODEL 1200 PARTS LIST
1
Polar axis assembly (right ascension – R.A.) with stepper drive
1
Declination (Dec.) axis assembly with stepper drive
1
Pier top adapter with three 5/16-18 x 5/8" button head screws with washers
(these will be attached to your pier post if you ordered one)
1
Stainless counterweight shaft with washer stop and black plastic knob (knob has 5/16 thread)
1
Dual axis quartz frequency control box
1
"Y" connector cable
1
D.C. power cord (cigarette lighter adapter on one end)
1
Hex key set
1
Piece of Velcro (to attach hand controller to surface of your choice)
In order to fully assemble your mount, you will need the following separately sold items: pier, counterweights, and
portable rechargeable battery pack. Several sizes and types are available for your selection. Many of these items will
be discussed throughout these instructions.
Several additional options will help to enhance your observing experience: JMI computerized digital setting circles,
and Santa Barbara Instrument Group ST-4 or ST-6 CCD Imaging camera/autoguider, polar axis telescope, and trays
for your pier.
INTRODUCTION
We recommend that you familiarize yourself
with the assemble and basic operation of the
mount indoors. The temperature will be
comfortable, the mosquitoes at bay, and
you'll have enough light to see the
illustrations and read the manual. Please
take particular note of counterbalancing, use
of the clutches and operation of the hand
controller.
If you were to take a long exposure
photograph with Polaris (often called the
North Star) in the center of the field, you
would discover that all stars seem to revolve
around Polaris. This effect is due to the
rotation of the earth on its axis. Motor driven
equatorial mounts were designed to
compensate for the earth's rotation by
moving the telescope at the same rate and
opposite to the earth's rotation. When the
polar axis of the telescope is pointed at the
celestial pole (polar aligned) as shown in the
diagram to the right, the mount will follow
(track) the motions of the sun, moon, planets,
and stars. As a result, the object that you are
observing will appear motionless as you
observe through the eyepiece or take
astrophotos.
For visual observation, a rough sighting of
Polaris through the hole in the polar axis is
ASTRO-PHYSICS
MODEL 1200 GERMAN EQUATORIAL WITH
DUAL AXIS QUARTZ DRIVE (1200DA)
- 1 -
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Summary of Contents for ASTRO-PHYSICS 1200
- Page 1 ASTRO-PHYSICS MODEL 1200 GERMAN EQUATORIAL WITH DUAL AXIS QUARTZ DRIVE (1200DA) MODEL 1200 PARTS LIST Polar axis assembly (right ascension – R.A.) with stepper drive Declination (Dec.) axis assembly with stepper drive Pier top adapter with three 5/16-18 x 5/8” button head screws with washers...
- Page 2 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS Please read all instructions before attempting to set up your 1200 mount. The Model 1200 is very rugged; however, like any precision instrument, it can be damaged by improper use and handling. Please refer to the diagram below for an illustration of the mount.
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Page 3: Before You Leave Home
GROSS LATITUDE ADJUSTMENT The latitude range of the 1200 mount is approximately 20-68 degrees. Since most astronomers typically observe within one latitude range, this adjustment is made just once, if at all. Prior to shipment, we preset the mount to your latitude range for your convenience. If you travel to another observing location, determine the latitude of your observing site and make the appropriate adjustment. -
Page 4: Assemble Polar Axis Assembly To Pier Or Tripod
10. Firmly tighten both polar axis pivot screws with the hex key. ATTACH PIER ADAPTER TO PIER POST: If you purchased the pier from Astro-Physics, the pier top adapter of the 1200 is already attached to the top of the pier. If you are constructing your own pier or tripod, you will need to incorporate this part. -
Page 5: Fitting Right Ascension Encoder Housing
Please continue to read these directions anyway since you may need to remove and reinstall the encoders if you use a polar alignment scope. The 1200 is always supplied with the encoders installed. -
Page 6: Assemble Declination Axis
1. Methods for fine polar alignment: • Polar alignment telescope – The north celestial pole can be viewed through the polar axis with the optional polar alignment telescope included with your 1200 mount. Please read the instruction sheets “Polar Alignment Telescope and Illuminator.” •... -
Page 7: Operation Of The Mounting
2. How can you find out what they really do? As shipped, all 1200 mounts have all three R.A. and Dec. clutch knobs firmly hand tightened. This will give you a good idea of the maximum tightness (clutch action) than can be achieved by hand effort alone. At this point, you must bear in mind that for optimum performance all three clutch knobs on each axis (R.A. - Page 8 These test knobs are used at the factory for initial setting of the worm wheel/worm mesh. Their main purpose for the end user is to give a quick visual verification of the worm drive motion (forward, reverse at 2x, 8x, and 16x). You can easily see the rotation of these test knobs especially at 8x and 16x speeds.
- Page 9 Lunar: Tracking rate for observing the moon. LED KNOB: There is an LED output available on the 1200 Dec. axis motor housing as shown in the diagram on page 2. You may insert your LED reticle to this plug. Brightness can then be controlled using the MIN to MAX (minimum to maximum) setting of the LED knob.
- Page 10 – if you expect to get them apart again after 10 years. Your 1200 is a precision instrument with very accurate worm and wheel adjustments. Please be careful if you place the mount on a flat surface, i.e.
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Page 11: Installation Of Encoders And Encoder Housings - 1200 Mount
Dec. axis adapter. This allows the encoder to read the motion of the declination shaft as the declination axis moves. 5. Thread the Dec. encoder housing onto the Dec. axis housing of the 1200 mount. You may need to wiggle the encoder housing... -
Page 12: Periodic Maintenance
FITTING RIGHT ASCENSION ENCODER HOUSING If the encoders were purchased with the 1200 mount, it is likely that the right ascension axis adapter and encoder housing have already been installed. Please continue to read these directions since you may need to remove and reinstall the encoders if you use a polar alignment scope.
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